You will now receive updates fromRugbyheaven Newsletter

Rugbyheaven Newsletter

"There's no doubt Hoops has played well in that position but Poey has been working extremely hard and I expect he will have a fantastic season."

The Brumbies and Waratahs will renew their rivalry when they battle at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Pocock's potential return for his first game since round one looms as a massive boost for the Brumbies, who are riding high after trouncing the Queensland Reds 29-0 on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old has been dogged by injuries since moving to Canberra, first rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament 20 minutes into a match against the Waratahs in 2013 and then again last year before damaging ligaments in his ankle last month.

Two knee reconstructions have limited him to just six games since the start of his stint with the Brumbies and in that time Hooper has stamped himself as one of the most consistent players in Australia.

The former Wallabies skipper was reintroduced to Brumbies training last week and is poised to reclaim the Brumbies' No. 7 jersey if he can prove his fitness this week.

Larkham says Pocock does not have to prove he isn't injury-prone as the club hopes to extend his contract beyond the end of the season.

But the Brumbies aren't willing to risk further injury knowing they have a bye after the Waratahs battle.

Pocock and Hooper haven't had an 80-minute on-field hit out since Pocock was at the Western Force in 2012 and Hooper was part of the Brumbies side.

"He's just had isolated incidents … He has always had a mindset of competing on the ball which is exactly what he has to have," Larkham said.

"His frame of mind through his knee reconstructions has been superb, he's been spot on through this latest injury. We won't put him out there until he's 100 per cent.

"We know he's one of those players who will always give everything to his performance."

Pocock and Hooper offer differing styles. Pocock was one of the world's best breakdown exponents before hit by injuries while Hooper is outstanding in open play.

Their Super Rugby battle will give Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika a perfect indication of what he can expect and whether Pocock is ready to step back into the Test arena.

A decision on whether Pocock will play this week will likely be made on Wednesday.

Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua must go through the return-to-play concussion protocols to keep his place in the team after suffering a head knock against the Reds.